Gas-burning lamp.



T. STEWART. GAS BURNING LAMP. APPLICATION FILED SEPTLK- 1916- RENEWE'D APR. 4. 19!?- Patented Oct. 23, 1917.

V [five/M51? em taw ALBERT T. srnwaar, or rnonIA, rumors.

GAS-BURNING- LAMP.

=Specification of Letters latent.

Patented o t. as, 1917.

Application filed. September 8, 1916, Serial No. 119,085. Renewed April 4, 1917. Serial 1N0. 159,775.

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, ALBERT T. STE ART, citizen of the 'United States, residin at Peoria, in thecounty of Peoria and tate of, Illinois, [have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Burning Lamps; and I do hereby declare that the following'is a full,,clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the .art to which it appertains to make and .use the same.

This, invention relates to ,a lamp for burning gas and particularly to an acetylene lamp adapted for miners use i but also equally .well adapted for other purposes.

Oneof the objects of the invention is to furnish a lamp adapted "for producing gas from calcium carbid, or from any other element of a gas forming nature to which a liquid is to'be added to form a gas, including what may be termed a balanced valve having control of the liquid supplied to such gas forming element.

A furthersobject is to produce a lamp of the type named including a compartment for a gas forming material, calcium-carbid for example, a compartment for a liquid such, as water, and a separating diaphragm provided with an aperture, part of which constitutes a Valve seat, the structure'also including inthe water compartment a float to which the valve is attached, sa'id float being so proportioned or having such a bulk and consequent buoying power as to practically balance the weight ofthe valve.

A still further object is to furnish ina lamp of a gas-using type having a compartment for a gas forming materiahfor exampleca lcium carbid, and a compartment for waterseparatedby a diaphragm, a valve for controlling an aperture in said diaphragm by means of a float having such a buoyancy with regard to the weight of the valve suspended therefrom that the pressure of the gas formed in the compartment for the carbid, when slightly in excess of that required for its ejectment through the discharge orifice of the burner, will close said valve and so maintain it and stop the feed of the water to the carbid until such time in the discharge of the gas that the excess pressure of the water has been relieved through said burner, whereupon the valve will opensufliciently by the weight of Water thereonrto restore working conditions.

:Other objects and advantages will appearin the following specification aided by the accompanying drawing in which letters and other characters of reference correspond.

fFigure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved lamp show-n substantially twice the size in lateral and vertical measurement of a lamp of that type customarily used by miners.

-Fig.2 isaplan of a valve.

Fig.3;isa sectional elevation'of a dividing diaphragmand a part of a float shown in Fig. 1, much enlarged; and,

Fig. L is a partof said diaphragm-and an aperture therein showing certain recesses communicating therewith.

' At the outset it may be stated that many attempts have been made to produce a lamp particularly adapted for use in mines which will operate for several hours without attention, so thatthe workman usingthe same upon'hishead-gear will not be required to give any attention thereto during his working hours or shift Lamps for this particular purpose using carbid have been constructed in many different ways but the means'of. conveying thewater to the carbid has not produced the best results since it has been found to be very difficult. to control the water. The result is that the volume of gas issuing from the jet orifice of the burner is either too great, due to the discharge 'of too much water upon the gas forming substance, thereby creating too much gas, the flame being often extinguished because of the excessive pressure at 'the'bu'rner opening, or, due to the fact that toolittle water is allowed 'to reach the carfb'id so that the amount of gas created is in- SUlllClBIlt to produce a flame.

In addition, all types of lamp with which I am familiar are wasteful in that there is a'loss of gas when it exceeds a certain pressure, which finds its way out throughthe water containing compartment.

purpose is toconstruct an acetylene lamp wherein the water is positively controlled in an entirely automatic manner through a substantially balanced valve, as has-been stated in the objects,'whereby no said gas forming substance.

In the drawing A represents a receptacle for the carbid or other gas forming .substance which is preferably constricted at its upper end forming a neck B interiorly threaded as shown at C. D is an inverted cup-shaped member part of which const1- tutes a dividing diaphragm E between the said receptacle A and a second receptacle F for water to be described presently.

The said cup-shaped member, which I shall term a diaphragm, is provided substantially midway its height with an extended annular flange G, the portions above and below said flange being threaded at each side, one of said portions thus threaded engaging the threaded neck of the said receptacle A. There is preferably interposed between the flange and the neck of the receptacle A a gasket II to provide a gas tight connection between the described parts.

The water receptacle F previously mentioned may be of any approved form of outline preferably having a neck F having practically vertical walls which in use will contain a column of water. This neck has threaded engagement with the other threaded portion above the flange G and a gasket J corresponding to H is employed to form a water-tight joint. Substantially centrally disposed in the diaphragm E is an aperture K for the reception of a valve to be described, there being a valve seat L on the lower surface of said diaphragm at said aperture facing the compartment A. In the upper surface of the diaphragm and communicating with said aperture K is a series of slits M the purpose of which will be made apparent herein.

The previously mentioned valve includes a stem N constructed in the form of a cross or any other convenient form whereby, while permitting the passage of water through the said aperture K in which it lies, said stem will snugly fit said aperture and yet have free endwise movement therein. The valve itself comprises a head 0 ground to snugly fit the seat L. Loosely attached to the stem N is a float P of any desired form, the ball type being suitable and as a simple manner of connecting the float and valve I may employ a U-shaped wire or staple Q, which may pass through an eye, not shown, in the upper end of the valve stem, the terminals of the staple being suitably held in the float. However, other equivalent means of attachment may be employed. Preferably the float is provided with a recess R adapted to receive fine particles of weight-forming material, for instance very fine shot, or the like, this material being indicated at S, the said recess being closed by any suitable means, such as a plugT. Preferably the valve is permitted to have movement within the diaphragm of substantially inchso that butv a limited amount of water can pass'said valve even exit of the gas formed in its interior.

when at' its widest opening. This limited movement may be provided for in any desired manner, but as a simple method I make use of the float as the limiting part which in the lowest position or wide-open position of the valve will rest upon the diaphragm 3.

The flange G is provided with a bore U in which tightly fits a tube V the outer end of the latter being closed but provided with a discharge orifice W forming the opening for the jet of gas. The inner'end of the tube preferably terminates inward from the inner wall surface of the diaphragm, said inner end lying in a filling of straining material 7 such as finely divided asbestos, cotton X, or the like, which will permit clean gas to pass through it but prevent the passage of parti-' cles of carbid or other substance toward or into the tube that might clog the jet orifice W. Preferably there depends from the under face of the diaphragm a tubular por tion 2 which separates the described strainmg material from the place of entrance of V the water around the valve, the portions being so constructed as to hold the material X in place. Secured in any suitable manner upon the flange G and surrounding the burner tube B is a reflector 3' of any ap'- proved form and of the desired size for the particular lamp to be fitted. The water receptacle F is provided with a capped opening F the cap F for which is furnished with an aperture F to admit entrance of air so that the water can feed properly past the valve C. v

4; is a tube snugly fitting into the tubular portion 2 and extending to the bottom of the receptacle A, its lowermost portion'being perforated as at 5. The purpose of the tube 4: is to conduct the water from the valve to the interior of the carbid rather than upon the top of the same, it being preferable to have the perforations 5 sulficiently low down that the required) amount of carbid will cover them when the lamp is first charged for operation.

By, this means the top of the carbid will not become crusted and thus prevent free other words, by carrying the water into the mass of carbid the gas formed inside it will have free exit to and through the drier portions above.

It often happensthat the incrustation at I the top of the carbid prevents the gas readily passing through it from below until such time that suflicient of the gas is created to blow through and when this results a greater pressure is produced at the burner than can be accommodated, producing a flame of variable intensity which disadvantage is sought to be overcome by the structure described. It is not new to deliver water to the interior of the carbid but such devices as deliver the water in a similar manner place the outlet for the water down inside the carbid so that that material in slacking stops the outlet for the water, requiring the valve also placed at that point, to be opened and closed in order to free the opening by pushing the material out.

My device differs from such a method in that the delivery opening for the water is far removed from the cal-bid, substantially as described and shown, so that it can never become clogged thereby.

The advantage of being able to vary the buoying action of the float is that in assembling the lamps where valves may differ in weight from one another, the floats therefor may be exactly adjusted for proper working conditions by the removal or addition of a particle of the weight-forming material.

Again, if the material of which the float is made is more or less absorbent and should become slightly waterlogged, a particle of the weight-forming material may be removed to restore proper working conditions.

The manipulation and operation of the lamp is as follows The receptacle A is provided with the necessary carbid after removing the cupped member D. The removal of the cap F from the water receptacle admits of supplying the required amount of water to the latter to raise the float slightly from the position shown in Fig. 1 without closing the valve. The water now passes the valve and upon entering the compartment A gas is formed. When a sufficient amount of gas is created it issues at the burner opening l/V after passing through the straining material X. The amount of water allowed to pass the valves is sufficient to generate enough gas to provide a. flame of the proper intensity, but if for any reason too much gasbe generated the pressure at once closes the valve G upon its seat until sufliciently relieved to permit said valve to open by the weight of the water upon it restoring the proper working conditions; the jet or flame being thus kept practically uniform in size.

When the water has fallen during the operation of the lamp to about the level shown in the drawing the amount of carbid with which the lamp is charged has been about exhausted and the float is no; longer balanced, suflicient water lacking for that purpose. Thereupon said float drops upon the diaphragm, the valve being then at its full opening and the water that can then flow into the receptacle A does no harm since it falls upon the exhausted carbid.

' In order to permit the water to pass out the slits M are furnished in the diaphragm. These slits extend outward from the point of contact of the float, on the diaphragm so that said float cannot interfere with the flow of water. a

The balanced valve, which. I belie e to be new, results in a very positive operation of the lamp and steady working of'the same;

It is observed that the lamp is quite simple in its appointments and can be readily taken apart and cleaned and restored to condition for use in a Very few moments.

I donot wish to be understood as confining myself to the exact arrangement of parts described and shown since I may slightlytion with a diaphragm; separating the com partmentsa-nd provided with an aperture, of a float in the compartmentfor the liquid, a valve attached to it for closing the aperture, the lifting action of the float being Sllbstantially equal to the weight of the valve, the latter being opened by the weight-of ater ereon in s i iquid compa tmen and adapted to close by the pressure of gas against it.

2. In a lamp of the character described utilizing two gas forming elements, one of them being a liquid, said lamp including a compartment for each element, the combination with a diaphragm separating the compartments and provided with an aperture through which the water flows from, one into the other compartmendof a float in the liquid compartment, a valve inthe other or gas formingqcompartment for closing the aperture and connected with the float,the lifting action of the latter being substantially equal to the weight of the valve, the latter being opened by; the. weight of water thereon in said liquid compartment to permit the liquid to. pass to the said gas forming compartment, said valve being closed upon the aperture by an excess of gas created inthe last named compartment to stop the flow of said liquid.

3. In a lamp; of the character described.

including in its construction a compartment for eachof two gas forming elements, one of the elements being a liquid, the combination of a diaphragm separating the compartments provided with an aperture, a valve to close the aperture, and a float in the liquid compartment attached to the valve, said float having a buoyancy substantially equal in lifting power to the weight of the valve, the valve adapted to open by the weight of the water thereon and adapted to seat and close the aperture due to pressure of gas thereon.

t. A lamplof th character described in "eluding in its construction afloat chamber its having an aperture in its wall for the discharge of fluid from said chamber, a valve to seat upon the wall in control of the aperture, and a float operatively connected to the valve having a. buoyancy sufliclent to partially lift said valve.

5. A lamp of the character described including in its construction a float chamber having an aperture in its lower wall for the discharge of fluid from said chamber, a valve arranged to 'close upon the aperture on the outer surface of said Wall, and a float operably connected to said valve and having a lifting pull slightly less than the weight of the valve which it controls.

6. A lamp including in its construction two compartments separated by a diaphragm, there being an aperture in said diaphragm,

'a valve at one side of said diaphragm in control of the aperture, and a float at the other side of said diaphragm operatively in control of the valve.

7. A lamp of the character described including in its construction a float chamber having a discharge aperture in its wall for fluid in said chamber, and a substantially balanced float-valve in control of said aperture.

8. A lamp of the character described including in its construction a float chamber having a discharge aperture in its bottom, and a float-valve in control of said aperture, the weight of the valve being substantially equal to the lifting power of its float. 9. In a lamp of the character described having a compartment for a substance from which to form an illuminant, a compartment for water, a diaphragm separating the compartments, the same including an aperture for the discharge of water therethrough upon the described substance, a valve for closing the aperture from within the first named compartment, and a float within the second named compartment operably connected to the valve, the weight of the latter to the weight of the valve, the valve adapted to be partially opened by the weight of the liquid thereon in opposition to the said lifting powerof said float.

11. In a lamp of the character described including a compartment for each of two gas producing elements, one of which is a liquid, a diaphragm separating the compartments having an aperture therein including a valve seat at that side of the diaphragm lying outside the compartment for the liquld, a valve including a stem extending into the aperture, and a float within the liquid compartment attached to the stem, the buoyant action of the float being substantially equal to the weight of the valve, the weight of the latter with the water resting thereon adapted to partiallyoflset the said buoyant action of the float; said valve adapted to be closed upon its seat against the liquid by pressure of gas formed in the compartment in which the valve lies. r

12. A lamp of the character described including in its construction a compartment for each of two forming elements, one of the elements being a liquid, a separating diaphragm for the compartmentshavingan aperture through which the latter communicate, a valve to close the aperture, and a float in the compartment for the liquid, the same havingoperative connection with the valve and arranged and adapted to receive a variable weight.

13. A lamp of thecharacter described including in its construction a compartment for each of two gas forming elements, one of the elements being a liquid, a separating diaphragm for the compartments having an aperture through which the latter communicate, a valve to close the aperture, and a float operatively connected to the valve, the same being variable in its buoyant or lifting powe I 14. A lamp of the character described including in its construction a compartment for each of two gas forming elements, one of the elements being a liquid, a separating diaphragm for the compartments having an aperture through which the latter communicate, a valve to close the aperture, a float operatively connected to the valve and means to vary the lifting power or buoyancy ofsaid float. I g 1 15. In a lamp-of the character described including a compartment for each of two gas forming elements, one of thembeing a liquld, of a diaphragm separating the compartments having an aperture through which said compartments can communicate, avalve to control the aperture situated at one side of the diaphragm, and a float situated in the compartment for the liquid at the other side of the diaphragm and attached to the valve,

l the lifting power of the float substantially equaling the weight of the valve, there being a burner opening in said diaphragm between the compartments.

16. A lamp of the character described including a compartment for each of two gas forming elements, one of them being; a

liquid, a separating diaphragm for the com-.

partments in the form of a shell with which the walls of both compartments engage, said diaphragm being separable from both said compartments and having an aperture therethrough for the passage of liquid from one compartment into the other, the diaphragm including a tubular part surrounding the aperture and having an open free end, a straining material lying between the said tubular part and the walls of the diaphragm, a burner tube extending through the said wall and terminating within the said material, a valve to control the aperture in the diaphragm at one side of the latter, and a float operatively connected to the valve and lying at the other side of the diaphragm, the lifting power of the float being substan tially equal to the weight of the valve, the latter adapted to be opened by the weight of water thereon and adapted to be closed by the pressure of gas in excess of that required to produce a flame of a given size at the opening of the burner tube.

17. A lamp of the character described including in its construction two open-end receptacles, a diaphragm interposed between and connecting the receptacles tightly closing their said open ends and separable from each, there being an aperture in said diaphragm connecting the cavities of the receptacles, there also being an opening in said diaphragm constituting a passage leading outside the lamp, and a substantially balanced float-valve in control of the said aperture.

18. A lamp of the character described including in its construction two open end receptacles, a diaphragm interposed between and connecting said receptacle tightly closing their said open ends and separable from each, there being an aperture through said diaphragm connecting the cavities of the receptacles, a valve at one side of the diaphragm adapted to close the aperture in-c cluding a float at the other side of said diaphragm, there being a passage in said diaphragm leading outside the lamp.

19. A lamp of the character described including in its construction a float chamber for containing water having a discharge aperture in its wall for the water, a valve in control of said aperture, a receptacle for a gas-forming material disposed below the aperture, and a conductor for receiving the water from the aperture and conducting it from the said aperture to near the bottom of said receptacle.

20. A lamp of the character described including in its construction two receptacles separated by a diaphragm provided with an aperture, each receptacle adapted for containing a gas-forming element, one of them being water, a valve in control of the aperture, the same being spaced from that portion of the receptacle which contains the other gas-forming element, and a conductor for water extending from the valve and aperture to near the bottom of the last named receptacle.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT T. STEWART.

WVitnesses:

V. I. SLEMMoNs, L. M. THURLOW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

